2003 HONDA ELEMENT spark plugs replace

This section explains the importance
of keeping your vehicle well
maintained and why you should
f ollow basic maintenance saf ety
precautions.
This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself .
If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your Honda, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Honda
dealer.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .208
.
Important Safety Precautions . 209
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 210
...
Required Maintenance Record . 217
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 219
..............................
Fluid Locations .220
......................................
Engine Oil .221
..................................
Adding Oil .221
....................
Recommended Oil .221
..............................
Synthetic Oil .222
....................................
Additives .222
.....
Changing the Oil and Filter . 223
.............................
Cooling System .225
............
Adding Engine Coolant . 225
.......
Replacing Engine Coolant . 227
....................
Windshield Washers .230
.......................
Transmission Fluid .231
..........
Automatic Transmission . 231
5-speed Manual .........................
Transmission .232
.................
Rear Dif f erential Fluid . 233
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid . 234
............................
Brake System .234
...........................
Clutch System .235
..............................
Power Steering .235
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .236 ....................................
Hood Latch .237
....................................
Spark Plugs .238
..............................
Replacement .238
............................
Specif ications .239
...........................................
Battery .240
.................................
Wiper Blades .242
..............
Air Conditioning System . 245
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 246
.......................................
Drive Belt .248
...............................................
Tires .249
......................................
Inf lation .249
Recommended Tire Pressures f or Normal ...........................
Driving .250
..................................
Inspection .251
..............................
Maintenance .251
.............................
Tire Rotation .252
...
Replacing Tires and Wheels . 253
......................
Wheels and Tires .254
..........................
Winter Driving .254
.............................
Snow Tires .254
............................
Tire Chains .255
.............................................
Lights .256
.....................
Headlight Aiming .258
........................
Replacing Bulbs .258
....................
Storing Your Vehicle .266
323
Maintenance
Maint enance207

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Maint enance212
Service at the indicated distance or time whichever comes first.miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
months 10
16
50
8070
112 110
176
Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
Every 3 years (independent of mileage)
At 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years,
then every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 5 years
20
32
30
4840
64 60
9680
128 100
160
Replace at 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 6 years, then every 90,000 miles (144,000 km) or 5 years.
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page . Inspect every 110,000 miles (176,000 km), otherwise adjust only if noisy
Every 110,000 miles (176,000 km)Every 30,000 miles (48,000 km)
Service the following items at the recommended intervals.
Check engine oil and coolant
Replace engine oil
Rotate tires (Check tire inflation and condition at least once per month)
Replace engine oil filter
Inspect front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment
Visually inspect the following items:
Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluidsExhaust system
Fuel lines and connections
Inspect and adjust drive belt
Replace dust and pollen filter
Replace transmission fluid
Inspect idle speed
Replace rear differential fluid (4WD)
Replace air cleaner element
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance
Replace engine coolant
Replace brake fluid 90
144
Every 160,000 miles (256,000 km) or 8 years 120
192
24 4872
12 3660
M/T
A/T
:
: 211
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions

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Maint enance213
U.S. Owners
Canadian Owners
A, B, C, D
A
B
C
D
Refer to page to determine which schedule to use.
Use the Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions.
Service at the indicated distance or time, whichever comes first. Do the items in as required for each distance/time.
Replace engine oil.
Rotate tires (follow pattern on page252).
Replace engine oil filter.
Inspect front and rear brakes.
Check parking brake adjustment.
Inspect tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots.
Inspect suspension components.
Inspect driveshaft boots.
Inspect brake hoses and lines (including ABS).
Check all fluid levels, condition of fluids, and check
for leaks. Inspect exhaust system.
Inspect fuel lines and connections.
Inspect and adjust drive belt.
Replace dust and pollen filter.
Replace air cleaner element every 30,000 mi/48,000
km (independent of time).
10,000 mi/16,000 km/1 yr
20,000 mi/32,000 km/1 yr
30,000 mi/48,000 km
30,000 mi/48,000 km/2 yrs
40,000 mi/64,000 km/2 yrs
3yrs
50,000 mi/80,000 km/3 yrs
60,000 mi/96,000 km
60,000 mi/96,000 km/3 yrs
70,000 mi/112,000 km/4 yrs
80,000 mi/128,000 km/4 yrs
90,000 mi/144,000 km
90,000 mi/144,000 km/5 yrs
100,000 mi/160,000 km/5 yrs
110,000 mi/176,000 km
6yrs
110,000 mi/176,000 km/6 yrs
120,000 mi/192,000 km
120,000 mi/192,000 km/6 yrs
120,000 mi/192,000 km/10 yrs
160,000 mi/256,000 km/8 yrs Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do item in D.
Do items in A, C.
Do items in A, B.
Replace brake fluid (independent of mileage).
Do items in A.
Do item in D.
DoitemsinA,B,C.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do item in D.
Do items in A, C. Replace rear differential fluid (4WD).
Do items in A, B. Inspect valve clearance, cold engine.
Replace spark plugs.
Replace brake fluid (independent of mileage).
Do items in A.
Do item in D. Replace transmission fluid (M/T).
Replace transmission fluid (A/T), then
replace every 90,000 mi/144,000 km/5 yrs.
DoitemsinA,B,C. Replace engine coolant, then replace every
60,000mi/96,000km/5 yrs. Inspect idle speed. :
212
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last
column, page .
Check engine oil and coolant at each fuel stop.
Check and adjust valve clearance, cold engine, only if noisy.
NOTE: 211
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions (listed by distance/time)

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Maint enance214
Service at the indicated distance or time whichever comes first. miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
months
Replace every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) or 6 monthsCheck oil and coolant at each fuel stop
10
16
50
8070
112 110
176
At 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years,
then every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 5 years Every 3 years (independent of mileage)
At 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 3 years, then every 30,000 miles
(48,000 km) or 2 years
20
32
30
4840
64 80
128 100
160
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page . See dust and pollen filter on page for replacement information under special driving conditions. Inspect every 110,000 miles (176,000 km), otherwise adjust only if noisy
Every 110,000 miles (176,000 km)
Every 15,000 miles (24,000 km) in dusty conditions,
otherwise use normal schedule
Service the following items at the recommended intervals.
60
96 90
144
Check engine oil and coolant
Replace engine oil
Rotate tires (Check tire inflation and condition at least once per month)
Replace engine oil filter
Inspect front and rear brakes
Lubricate all hinges, locks, and latches
Visually inspect the following items: Tie rod ends, steering gear, box, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Check parking brake adjustment
Visually inspect the following items: Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluidsExhaust system, Fuel lines, and connections
Lights and controls, Vehicle underbody
Inspect and adjust drive belt
Replace dust and pollen filter
Replace transmission fluid
Replace rear differential fluid (4WD)
Inspect idle speed
Replace air cleaner element
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance
Replace engine coolant
Replace brake fluid Every 160,000 miles (256,000 km) or 8 years120
192
24 4872
12 3660
M/T
A/T
:
: 246
211
Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions

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Maint enance216
See dust and pollen filter on page for replacement information
under special driving conditions.
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last
column, page .
Check engine oil and coolant at each fuel stop.
Check and adjust valve clearance, cold engine, only if noisy.
NOTE: :
:
246
211Do item in A.
DoitemsinA,B,C.
Do items in A, E. Replace brake fluid (independent of mileage).
Inspect valve clearance, cold engine.
Replace spark plugs.
Do items in A, B.
Do item in A.
Do item in E. Replace transmission fluid (M/T).
Replace rear differential fluid (4WD).
DoitemsinA,B,C,D. Replace transmission fluid (A/T).
Replace brake fluid (independent of mileage).
Replace engine coolant, then replace every
60,000mi/96,000km/5 yrs. Inspect idle speed.
95,000 mi/152,000 km
100,000 mi/160,000 km/5 yrs
105,000 mi/168,000 km
6yrs
110,000 mi/176,000 km
110,000 mi/176,000 km/6 yrs
115,000 mi/184,000 km
120,000 mi/192,000 km
120,000 mi/192,000 km/6 yrs
120,000 mi/192,000 km/7 yrs
9yrs
120,000 mi/192,000 km/10 yrs
160,000 mi/256,000 km/8 yrs
Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions (listed by distance/time)

Clean off any dirt and oil that have
collected around the ignition coils.
Use a wrench to remove the bolt
holding the ignition coil. Pull the
ignition coil up slightly.
Disconnect the wire connector
f rom the ignition coil by pushing
on the lock tab and pulling on the
connector. Pull on the plastic
connector, not the wires.Remove the ignition coil.
Remove the spark plug with
a f ive-eighths inch (16 mm) spark
plug socket.
Put the new spark plug into the
socket, then screw it into the hole.
Screw it in by hand so you do not
crossthread it.
Remove the f our nuts with a
wrench, then remove the coil
cover.
The spark plugs in your vehicle are a
special iridium-tipped design f or
longer lif e. The spark plugs should
be replaced according to the distance
recommendation in the maintenance
schedule.
1.
6.
7. 5.
2.
4. 3.
Replacement
Spark Plugs
Maint enance238
NUTS
NUTSBOLT
CONNECTOR
IGNITION COIL LOCK TAB
COIL COVER

Î
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor....................................
Recovery .313
..
Operation in Foreign Countries . 312
............................
Outside Mirrors .106
.......................................
Overdrive .181
....................
Overheating, Engine .288
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 219
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels .311
..............................
Paint Touch-up .270
..............
Panel Brightness Control . 77
........................
Park Gear Position .179
...........................................
Parking .184
...............................
Parking Brake .111
Parking Brake and Brake .................
System Indicator . 66,294
.................................
Parking Lights .76
Parking Over Things that ....................................
Burn .184, 314
.............................
PGM-FI System .314
..................
Polishing and Waxing . 269
............
Pre-Drive Saf ety Checklist . 12
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 21
............................
Protecting Adults .13 ...
Additional Safety Precautions . 22
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 21
........................
Protecting Children .24
.......................
Protecting Inf ants .34
.......
Protecting Larger Children . 42
.........
Protecting Small Children . 38
Using Child Seats with .....................................
Tethers .46
.............................
Using LATCH .47
...................
Radiator Overheating . 288
.....
Radio/CD Sound System . 126,137
...........................
Readiness Codes .293
.................
Rear Dif f erential Fluid . 233
.......................................
Rear Doors .88
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 261
............................
Rear Seat Access .95
..........................
Rear Seat, Folding .99
..........................
Rear View Mirror .106
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 81
.
Rear Window Wiper and Washer . 80
...............
Reclining the Seat-Backs . 92
.......
Recommended Shif t Speeds . 177
.............................
Reminder Lights .65 ............
Removing the Rear Seats . 101
Replacement Inf ormation .................
Air Cleaner Element . 236
..............
Dust and Pollen Filter . 246
..........................
Engine Coolant .227
................
Engine Oil and Filter . 223
..........................................
Fuses .296
................................
Light Bulbs .258
....................................
Schedule .210
................................
Spark Plugs .238
...........................................
Tires .253
.............................
Wiper Blades .242
Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a ............................................
Crash .53
Reserve Tank, Engine ...............................
Coolant .163, 225
...............................
Restraint, Child .24
..................
Reverse Gear Position . 180
...........................
Reverse Lockout .183
................................
Rotation, Tire .252
..................................
Saf ety Belts .8, 50
.........
Safety Defects, Reporting . 322
...........
Saf ety Checklist, Pre-Drive . 12
Index
R
P
S
VI

ÎCONT INUED
.................................
Saf ety Features .7
.........................................
Airbags .10
..................................
Door Locks .11
..........................
Head Restraints .11
.......................................
Seat Belts .8
.....................
Seats & Seat-Backs .11
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of . 61
...............................
Saf ety Messages . ii
.....................................
Seat Belts .8, 50
...............
Additional Information . 50
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 21
Automatic Seat Belt ...............................
Tensioners .52
.....................................
Cleaning .271
................
Lap/Shoulder Belt . 17,50
................................
Maintenance .53
Reminder Light and ................................
Beeper .50, 67
................................
Replacement .53
...................
System Components . 50
...............
Use During Pregnancy . 21
...
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt . 17
........................
Seats, Adjusting the .92
...............................
Serial Number .304
...........................
Service Intervals .212
...........................
Service Manual .323 .........
Service Station Procedures . 159
..................
Setting the Clock . 130,142
.....
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 178
........................
Shif t Lock Release .183
..............................
Side Airbags .10, 56
....................
Cutof f Indicator .58, 67
Side Marker Lights, Bulb ..............................
Replacement .260
...............................
Signaling Turns .77
..........................................
Skylight .107
..............
Removing and Storing . 108
.....................................
Snow Tires .254
...................
Solvent-type Cleaners . 268
........................
Sound System .126, 137
......................................
Spare Tire .276
................
Spark Plugs, Replacing . 238
....................
Specif ications Charts . 306
................................
Speed Control .153
...................................
Speedometer .72
.......................................
Spotlights .114
..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation . 54
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 59
.............................
Airbag Service .59
How the Side Airbag Cutof f ...........
Indicator Light Works . 58
..
How the SRS Indicator Works . 57How Your Front Airbags
.........................................
Work .54
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 56
........................
SRS Components .54
.............................
SRS Indicator .57 ,67
....
START (Ignition Key Position) . 86
..............
State Emissions Testing . 316
.......................
Starting the Engine .174
In Cold Weather at High ..................................
Altitude .175
................
With a Dead Battery . 285
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine . 288
Steering Wheel ..................................
Adjustment .82
.............
Anti-theft Column Lock . 85
...........
Stereo Sound System . 126,137
....................
Storing Your Vehicle .266
Supplemental Restraint ................................
System .10, 54
......................................
Servicing .59
.........................
SRS Indicator .57 ,67
...................
System Components . 54
..................................
Synthetic Oil .222
Index
VII